In an objectively thrilling weekend of football, both Road teams were able to pull off (slight) upsets in Overtime. The good news is that, at least for now, it looks like I have kept my job as a main contributor for Brosh Knows Football, as my Editor was pleased with my weekend performance. The bad news is that the Patriots will be playing in the Super Bowl for the millionth time in the last 20 years, as the world mourns its slow and inescapable destruction... Anyways, as I was saying, I went 1-1 straight up and 2-0 ATS. This brings my playoff totals to 6-4 straight up (not that good), and 6-3-1 ATS (pretty good). So, as I generally ask, how did we get here?
Los Angeles Rams (13-3) defeat New Orleans Saints (13-3) in Overtime, 26-23
We all saw it. It was blatant. It was horrible. It was surreal. While calling the missed defensive pass interference call that occurred in the dying moments of the game a surreal moment might be hyperbole, that’s what it was to me. When Robey-Coleman laid out Lewis before the ball arrived, it was such obvious pass interference that my initial reaction was to think that maybe I saw it wrong. I had never seen such obvious pass interference. The hit was the most blatant definition of pass interference. So, when I saw a lack of yellow flags on the field after the play, I assumed – I simply had to assume – that I had seen it wrong. Maybe the ball was tipped. Maybe the angle that I saw the play from was deceptive. Then, I saw the replay, and it confirmed exactly what I had thought happened. In my mind, the only justification for the missed call was that maybe the referee felt how I felt. He had simply never seen such an absurd disregard for the pass interference rule before. So, his immediate reaction was that it couldn’t have been pass interference, since what he saw was so foreign. With that little bit of doubt in his mind, along with the tendency of refs to not want to throw flags on critical plays, the referee turned to stone, kept his flag in his pocket, and ruled the pass incomplete. It was shocking to say the least. And before New Orleans even had a chance to be upset, they were forced to rush their special teams unit onto the field and kick the go-ahead field goal, hoping that it would still be enough to win them the game. Obviously, it was not.
While I generally feel that focusing on one play from a game is a close-minded way to view a 60 minute football game, it’s tough to think about much other than that missed pass interference call. Sure, you could point to some sub-optimal play-calling from Payton, as running the ball so deep in Los Angeles territory would have taken time and timeouts away from the Rams. However, the aggressive play call also could have led to a game-sealing touchdown, had the pass plays caught the Los Angeles defense off guard (which they arguably did).
The Saints had their chances earlier in the game as well. However, they were unable to capitalize, as their first two drives ended in short Wil Lutz field goals. Even while failing to score touchdowns in the early going, they looked like the far superior team during the first quarter, getting out to an early 13-0 lead. However, the Saints let the Rams sneak back into it, as Los Angeles was able to tie the game at 20, late in the fourth quarter.
And of course, the Saints had their chances after the missed call as well. The defense was unable to keep the Rams from getting into field goal range on their final possession of regulation, allowing Los Angeles to push the game into overtime. And New Orleans got the ball first to start the extra period, but they were unable to take advantage, as Brees threw an untimely and unlucky interception. Then, Zuerlein showed just how valuable one of the best Kickers in the league can be, as he comfortably hit a clutch 56 yard field goal to send the Rams to Super Bowl LIII.
New England Patriots (11-5) defeat Kansas City Chiefs (12-4) in Overtime, 37-31
What a thrilling game. This one had everything. An unexpected start (Kansas City’s #1 ranked offense was shutout in the first half!) An impressive comeback (the Chiefs rallied to take the lead after starting the game down 14-0). Fourth quarter fireworks (Kansas City and New England combined for an astounding 38 points in the fourth quarter). Controversy (I guess giving Tom Brady a friendly tap on the shoulder is considered Roughing the Passer now). Overtime (The second overtime game of the day!). And an old dog showing us his typical tricks (Brady easily marched his offense down the field for a touchdown on the game-winning overtime drive).
When you look back at the game, one thing is clear. The Patriots were the superior team on Sunday. New England outgained Kansas City, 524-290, and they controlled the game, as they had possession of the ball for 43:59 and 94 plays, as compared to 20:53 and 47 plays for the Chiefs. New England dictated the flow of the game. Only a couple of unusual Brady interceptions kept Kansas City competitive in the early going. However, when luck mattered most, the Patriots were there. For the third straight time, the Patriots won the Overtime Playoff coin toss. And for the third straight time, Brady marched his team down the field for the winning score, never giving the opposing offense a chance to touch the ball. Though it should be noted that in their 2001 Overtime win against the Raiders in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs *resists urge to punch computer*, New England only required a field goal to win what will forever be remembered as the Tuck Rule Game.
I think everyone watching the game had little doubt that New England's opening drive of overtime would end in a Patriots touchdown. While the Chiefs defense put up a good fight, forcing 3 third and longs, each conversion resulted in further dejection and further exhaustion for the Kansas City defense. On New England’s 94th play of the game, the Kansas City defense simply had nothing left in the tank, and Burkhead was able to walk the ball into the end zone for the score.
With the way that this overtime period panned out, it makes you wonder why both teams are not given an opportunity to possess the ball, no matter the outcome of the first possession of overtime. The rule change to eliminate a field goal from winning a game on the first possession was certainly a good start, but going one step further could be all it takes to reduce the value of winning the overtime coin toss to nothing. That being said, I’m sure Kansas City fans are not interested in any rule changes now, as there is no way to change the outcome of this game. For now, they must accept that their streak of 49 years away from the Super Bowl will continue. Meanwhile, the Patriots head to their third straight Super Bowl appearance, a truly impressive feat for what may very well be the tail end of one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time.
Two teams enter, only one can leave as Super LIII Champions. It will be the Young Gun vs. The Old Dog of February 3rd, in a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVI. Predictions will be coming in next week. Stay tuned!
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